Around the World's Markets: NEW YORK

SHARE PRICES shook off early losses to close slightly higher after speculation mounted over the possibility of a cut in US interest rates at next Tuesday's FOMC meeting. The Dow Jones closed up 26.78 at 8,028.76, after sliding 100 points in early trading. The index was up 133.10 points from a week earlier.

"A rate cut is pretty much a done deal, and very much priced into the market," said Charles White, managing director of Avatar Associates.